Sunbeams vs. Nickel LoRiders for fretless

[nemo]

Funny you mention D'Addario B. That's what I actually use on my fretless fiver - B (non-tapered 130) from the D Addario EXL170 set and the rest are Sunbeams 45.

 

[alangoldstein]

sunbeams i use on all basses., frets or not

 

[ReBass]

I've tried both the Sunbeams and the Jazz Flats on my fretless Jazz. As another poster stated, the flats had no mwah. The Sunbeams have lots. I now run the flats on a fretted reissue Jazz and Sunbeams on everything else.

 

[El Tookay]

SunBeams. Use them on my ebony blank-board L2000, and it sings.

Some mwah in the TI's, but i don't like the slow transient response with the TI's, particularly on the E string. Chromes do the same thing, don't like it- if I want a soft or slow attack, i get it with my hands, don't need the strings getting in the way. i'd rather have a quick/ instantaneous attack with a full frequency spectrum to work with as a starting point

Did try the Fender tapewounds on the recommendation of a local jazz cat, who uses them on his CS Jaco, and they do get the attack of steel, but don't eat up your board. Worth a look, and a good price.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

thanks for all your help - unfortunately, I'm still not much further...

been reading search results on sunbeams vs. nickel LoRiders (et al.) until I've gone cross eyed.

The consensus seems to be:

1. Sunbeams are (a lot) brighter
2. Nickel LoRiders have a lot more lo-mid growl with an attenuated top
3. Sunbeams are great for fretless, but so are the others
4. other than that, there seems to be no consensus on mids and sound.

As a fretless P-bass or SRay do not form any relevant point of reference for me, Ill just have to try them out...

Question - B string: which gauge, 125 or 130 ?
Heavier strings are tighter, lighter strings have more note definition as they flex easier. The roundcore SunBeams are already pretty flexible by all accounts... soooo ?


Or I'll just try the Nickel LoRiders.. growly burpy sounds....

 

[MarkusBass]

I really like Sun Beams, and Chromes on my fretless. But I have Dunlops on all my other basses, and think they would be killer on a fretless, and they are only 20 bucks!

 

[El Tookay]

thanks for all your help - unfortunately, I'm still not much further...

been reading search results on sunbeams vs. nickel LoRiders (et al.) until I've gone cross eyed.

The consensus seems to be:

1. Sunbeams are (a lot) brighter
2. Nickel LoRiders have a lot more lo-mid growl with an attenuated top
3. Sunbeams are great for fretless, but so are the others
4. other than that, there seems to be no consensus on mids and sound.

As a fretless P-bass or SRay do not form any relevant point of reference for me, Ill just have to try them out...

Question - B string: which gauge, 125 or 130 ?
Heavier strings are tighter, lighter strings have more note definition as they flex easier. The roundcore SunBeams are already pretty flexible by all accounts... soooo ?


Or I'll just try the Nickel LoRiders.. growly burpy sounds....

What will really determine what works is your ears, your hands, and your bass. We all can offer advice about strings, but, in the end, talking about tone is like dancing about the color blue. Second-person interpretation is no match for the actual experience.

Both sets are great strings, the real difference is the core wire, and, as you are in Germany, possibly cost and availability. Sunbeams are slightly more flexible and have a hint more harmonics, but unless you're doing bass solo's, when playing with a band/ group situation, most of what distinguishes one from the other will be inaudible.

Your ears don't lie .

 

[FromTheBassMent]

The GHS Pressurewound do indeed come in a five-string set... I play fivers exclusively. This is the set I use on my SR5:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

BTW, the guy who wrote a review on the linked page suggesting DA Chromes and declaring the GHS B string "dead" is an outlier AFAIK. First of all, he's comparing apples to chickpeas... if you're looking for a flatwound sound, you're not looking for a pressurewound sound! And I have had several sets of the GHS with never a problem B string.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

who has any experience with Sunbeam B-strings?
In a 45 5-string set, would you choose the regular 125 or the optional 130 ?

 

[PluckyThump]

who has any experience with Sunbeam B-strings?
In a 45 5-string set, would you choose the regular 125 or the optional 130 ?

Never tried a Sunbeam B, only a 4-string set. Based on the fact that Subneams are round core and more flexible, I would go with .130. The .125 might be a bit floppy in a round core string.

 

[OldogNewTrick]

bump for some more feedback:

my research and all the posts in this and other threads has left me worried the SunBeams might just be to bright for my taste.

Against the known constant D'Addrion XL, would you think Sunbeams brighter or darker?
What about Nickel LoRiders ?

And SIT Silencers? An option?

I do prefer a more complex midrange to a bright tone.


Any fresh input is most welcome

 

[PluckyThump]

bump for some more feedback:

my research and all the posts in this and other threads has left me worried the SunBeams might just be to bright for my taste.

Against the known constant D'Addrion XL, would you think Sunbeams brighter or darker?
What about Nickel LoRiders ?

And SIT Silencers? An option?

I do prefer a more complex midrange to a bright tone.


Any fresh input is most welcome

I have tried all of the above strings. Relative tone compared to D'Add XLs, imo/ime/ymmv:

Sunbeams: Slightly brighter, slightly less midrange, more lows. Louder and more agressive. An excellent choice for adding livelyness to a dull-sounding bass.

Nickel LoRiders: More lows and a sweeter, less metallic mid-range. Highs are about the same. An excellent all-around string and one that I keep coming back to.

SIT Silencers: More lows, less mids, less highs. These are the best half round/semi-flatwound string that I have tried. Less grabby than D'Add half-rounds and better tone. They are surprisingly bright at first but mellow out as you play them. I haven't tried the 5-string set of these yet so can't comment on the B. Good choice for fretless.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above choices. You may want to give D'Addario Chromes a try. They are mellower than rounds but are brighter than any other flat. I have them on my fretless and love them, no shortage of 'mwah'.

 

[Mystic Michael]

The Sunbeams are going to be noticeably better for fretless than the Lo-Riders. One major difference is the feel: the round core Sunbeams will be softer and more flexible than the more rigid hex core Lo-Riders.

If you try the Sunbeams and find them too bright, just give them a little time. They'll undoubtedly mellow before too long.

Personally, I'd much rather have strings be too bright out of the package, than too dull. Dull strings never become brighter over time...

MM

 

[OldogNewTrick]

at this point the poll stands at

20 - Sunbeams
8 - Nickel LoRiders
7 - TI Jazz flats

I have decided - ordered a set of 45-125 SunBeams.
I still have my concerns and I've been swaying from LoRiders to Silencers, but decided now to check out what the fuzz over the Sunbeams is all about.

Might as well get it out of my way.
If they turn out to be the bee's knees, as the vast majority seems to think, great, if not, at least I know that MMDV.

Thanks for all your help, I will post back with my impressions.





edit: the 21.st vote for Sunbeams is mine

 

[OldogNewTrick]

okay then... the yellow van dropped a large envelope in the mailbox
Now after a few hours of playing, I must say, I'm pretty impressed

Coming from D'Addario XL 40-125TW, I only slightly adjusted neck relief and action to suit the 45-125 Sunbeams.

The tone and feel were different from what I thought. Firmer and less bright than expected. The pickup in serial mode gave an strong authoritative tone with a nicely fleshed out G string, parallel yielded a more mellow, wider tone with polite mids. Single coil was pretty aggressive.
The B-string is okay, but certainly not as good as the D'Addario ENR 130TW, which provides much clearer note definition going from E downwards in half tone steps. The E to G strings are great.
Loved the feel with just the right amount of friction to the left hand to make shifts in position more positive and easier to judge. (Hated the Elixir Nanos on my fretless, but love the very same set on my fretted 5-string)

All in all, I am looking forward to have them settle in as they will improve to a very enjoyable playing experience..

 

[strappa]

the sunbeams sound real good after a week to mellow

if you decide to try another brand after this
try Fender SuperBass
they sound good on my fretless

 

[OldogNewTrick]

OMG, I should be called Doubting Thomas henceforth

No idea how long this is lasting, but right now the Sunbeams are......... just perfect.
My bass has finally the tone I thought it should have. From burpy bridge staccatos to singing solos high up on the D and G strings....

I'm floored ...